Portsmouth police to hold 'Turkey Bowl' to benefit hurricane victims

PORTSMOUTH - The Portsmouth Police Department will host "Portsmouth Police Turkey Bowl 2012" on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. under the lights at Portsmouth High School, with the goal of raising money and donations to assist the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Eight teams made up of local police departments, fire departments and military will participate in the double elimination tournament. Departments participating include Portsmouth, Dover, York, York Beach Fire, Dover Fire, NH Air Guard 157th Security Forces Squadron, Rye, Greenland, Stratham, North Hampton, North Hampton Fire, Somersworth, Lee and New Hampshire State Police.

Members of the Portsmouth Police Department have been making donation runs down to New York and New Jersey over the past two weeks. Event organizers include Detective Matthew Hester, Lt. Chris Cummings, Sgt. Rich Webb and Officer Steve Blanding of Portsmouth Police, and Officer Alex Mitrushi of Dover.

"Portsmouth Police and Portsmouth Fire have been playing a flag football game on Thanksgiving Eve for the past eight years," said Detective Hester. "With the recent disaster to the New York and New Jersey areas, we truly want to assist in any way we can. It's good to get all of these departments together for a positive cause, especially since we are usually brought together only in the bad times."

The event is open to the public. Price for admission is $2 for adults and $1 for kids under 12.

Concessions will include snacks, pizza, coffee and hot chocolate. Coffee will be donated by Port City Coffee Roaster of Portsmouth. All ticket and concession proceeds will go directly toward buying supplies for hurricane victims.

Those unable to attend may still donate by sending checks made out to Portsmouth Police Relief Association to Portsmouth Police Department, 3 Junkins Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801, or by dropping off supplies at the Portsmouth or Dover police departments or the York Beach Fire Department.

Event details can be found on the Facebook event page titled "Portsmouth Police Turkey Bowl 2012 'Football for a Cause.'"

For more information, contact Detective Matt Hester at MHester@cityofportsmouth.com or Officer Alex Mitrushi at A.Mitrushi@dover.nh.gov.